Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

At the request of Senator Feeney, I move:

That, in accordance with section 5 of the Parliament Act 1974, the Senate approves the proposal by the National Capital Authority for capital works within the Parliamentary Zone, relating to landscape works and the installation of a concrete bench at the High Court of Australia.

Ian Macdonald (Queensland, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Northern and Remote Australia) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for two minutes.

Ian Macdonald (Queensland, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Northern and Remote Australia) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This motion deals with the installation of a concrete bench outside the High Court of Australia. That in itself is uncontroversial but it does bring to the attention of the Senate the need for the parliament to have some say on what happens within the Parliamentary Zone. Mr President, I use this opportunity to alert to you the fact that there have been concerns around the halls of this building—the Senate side of the building—for what seems to have been some months. Can someone indicate why it is that whatever work that is required to be done is not able to be done. There are some parts of this building that seem to be falling into disrepair. I wonder what the reason is, whether it is a lack of money, that we have these barricades around the corridors near windows with notices saying that there is something wrong with the windows and needs to be fixed.

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Macdonald, I hear your question. I do not know the answer myself. I will seek to get an answer for you and get someone to communicate that to you.

Question agreed to.